Alternative Licensure

The Alternative Licensure programs provide initial teacher certification options to those with an earned four-year degree and seek to earn a Standard SP1 teaching license. UNC Greensboro offers a wide selection to meet the initial licensure needs of the community.

There are three program options for those seeking an initial teaching license: NC Teach, PAIL, and Licensure Only.

Choose the MAT Program if:

  • You are not currently employed as a teacher or working teacher and seek both licensure and a master’s degree.
  • You desire a comprehensive program with structured field experiences and student teaching.
Learn more about the MAT Program

Choose the NC TEACH Program if:

  • You are already teaching full-time under a Residency License in North Carolina.
  • You aim to obtain your Standard Professional I teaching license while continuing to work.
Learn more about the NC TEACH Alternative Licensure Program

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headshot of Faith Freeman

Dr. Faith Freeman

Side-By-Side Comparison

Feature MAT Program NC TEACH Program 
Degree Awarded Master of Arts in Teaching No degree conferred; focuses solely on licensure (In many cases, candidates can achieve a master’s degree with limited additional coursework.)
Target Audience Career changers not currently teachingFull-time teachers under Residency License 
Program Duration 15–18 months, depending on the concentration Approximately 3 semesters 
Delivery Format Online, hybrid, or in-person (varies by concentration) Online with periodic in-person sessions depending on concentration 
Field Experience Structured internships and student teachingField-based experiences within current teaching role 
Licensure Areas Elementary Education (K–6), Middle Grades (6–9), Secondary Education (9–12), Special Education (K–12), and TESOL (K–12) Elementary Education (K–6), Middle Grades (6–9), Secondary Education (9–12), TESOL (K–12), and Foreign Languages (K–12) 
Outcome Leads to both initial teacher licensure and a master’s degree Leads to initial Standard Professional I teaching licensure; credits may be applied toward a master’s degree if pursued later 
EligibilityOpen to individuals not currently employed as teachers Designed for mid-career professionals already teaching full-time under a Residency License 
Education students construct model classrooms to understand how to best use class space.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

The MAT in Elementary Education is a fully online program that prepares candidates for K–6 licensure, incorporating extensive field experiences and culminating in a student teaching semester.

Learn more about the MAT Program
Kindergarten teacher Taryn-Nichelle brainstorms with students about what messages they could put on their protest signs

NC TEACH Alternative Licensure Program

The NC TEACH TESOL program requires 18 credit hours over three semesters, 2 online courses per semester, and is intended for unlicensed teachers working full-time under a Residency License.

Learn more about the NC TEACH Alternative Licensure Program

APPLYING FOR PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE AFTER PROGRAM COMPLETION

Based on NCDPI licensure policies on the State Board of Education site, in order to clear your Residency License and apply for professional licensure, you have to have PASSED and COMPLETED all your licensure testing and assessments (Pearson, Praxis, EdTPA) for your specific licensure area, regardless of Residency License year.

Under UNCG’s current policies, UNCG can recommend you for licensure based on only attempting those tests and assessments, but NCDPI requires that you have PASSED all needed assessments and EdTPA to approve your application based on the current licensure policies published on the State Board of Education website.

For Residency licensure candidates, once you complete your program we can not process a new Residency Verification form for you if you are not enrolled in courses for that school year, so having passing scores on your tests and assessments and EdTPA is vital so that when you complete your program, you can apply for your license as soon as possible to prevent issues with your employment.